Paraguay has rejected an extension of a military cooperation deal with the United States. On Thursday, Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo said his government would stop conducting a series of military exercises with US troops. Lugo cited recent hemispheric opposition to an agreement extending the U.S. military presence inside Colombia.

Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo: "There would be about 500 U.S. military and other personnel in the country and that wouldn't go unnoticed. It's neither prudent nor convenient at this time and could raise concerns among the other members of the Mercosur and Unasur."